'
This gave to the English the general abolition of the _Droit d'Aubaine_,
enjoyed by the Hollanders under the first article of their treaty with
France of July the 23rd, 1773, which is in these words. '_Les sujets
des E. G. des P. U. des Pays-Bas ne seront point assujettis au Droit
d'Aubaine dans les Etats de S. M. T. C._ This favor, then, being granted
to the English subsequent to our treaty, we become entitled to it of
course by the article in question. I have it not in my power at this
moment to turn to the treaty between France and Russia, which was also
posterior to ours. If by that, the Russians are exempted from the _Droit
d'Aubaine_, '_dans les Etats de S. M. T. C._ it is a ground the more for
our claiming the exemption. To these, you will be pleased to add
such other considerations of reason, friendship, hospitality, and
reciprocity, as will readily occur to yourself.
About two or three weeks ago, a Mr. Campbell called on me, and
introduced himself by observing that his situation was an awkward one,
that he had come from Denmark with an assurance of being employed
here in a public character, that he was actually in service, though
unannounced. He repeated conversations which had passed between Count
Bernstorff and him, and asked me when a minister would be appointed to
that court, or a character sent to negotiate a treaty of commerce: he
had not the scrip of a pen to authenticate himself, however informally.
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